Wolverine appoints new active group president

Wolverine World Wide announced on Monday the appointment of Susie Kuhn as president of the U.S. company’s active group, effective October 28.

Kuhn will be responsible for leading brand strategies, executing consumer-focused go-to-market plans, and driving commercial performance for the Michigan-based firm’s active group – which includes the Merrell, Saucony, and Chaco brands. The executive will also oversee The Collective – the company’s recently created center-of-excellence focused on enabling its brands with consumer insights, trend, and innovation.

Kuhn will report directly to Chris Hufnagel, president and CEO of Wolverine Worldwide, and serve on the company’s executive team.

“I’m honored to be appointed as Wolverine Worldwide’s new active group president and am grateful for the amazing opportunity to be a part of the company’s strategic transformation,” said Kuhn.

“The Merrell, Saucony, and Chaco brands are recognized and loved by consumers all around the world, and The Collective is an industry-leading resource that will help these brands forge even stronger connections with their consumers. I look forward to building on the momentum that’s been created and accelerating these brands’ and the company’s growth into the future.”

A retail veteran, Kuhn brings more than 25 years of global experience in the footwear and apparel industries, including senior leadership roles at Nike, Converse, and Urbn. Her experience spans global brand-building, wholesale, direct-to-consumer, merchandising, product design and development, and marketing.

She most recently served as Foot Locker’s president of Europe, Middle East, and Africa, where she had full responsibility for brand strategy and operational performance.

“We’re excited to welcome Susie to the team and are confident that her diverse, global experience working with leading brands – coupled with her collaborative, results-driven leadership style – will help drive our Active Group brands and the entire Company forward,” said Hufnagel.

“She has managed virtually all aspects of consumer-focused businesses in her previous roles – working on both the brand and retail side of the business while focusing squarely on customer journeys, driving the business, and keeping a pulse on consumer and marketplace trends. We’re eager to see the impact Susie’s well-rounded expertise will have on our active group brands and the entire Wolverine Worldwide team as we continue our effort to build a new company for the future.”

The update comes as the company continues its operational turnaround after downsizing its business throughout 2023. It is due to report its third-quarter results on November 7.